Petition Letter
To whom it may concern,
My name is Fiona Taylor and I am requesting Aegrotat (AG) standing for PHAR 100, PSYC 100, BIOL 103, and CHEM 112. I am also seeking a late drop to a course for ANAT 100. In addition, I have been informed as of May 23rd that I am required to withdraw from Queen’s for one year, which I am also requesting to appeal.
I struggle greatly with anxiety and have formal diagnoses including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Since the middle of the 2022 fall semester, I have faced the most sever anxiety of my life. I would constantly wake up to panic attacks and would spend all of my daily energy fighting of panic-inducing thoughts. Anxiety this severe is not just mental, it takes a physical toll on my body, my energy, and my ability to function. I was very diligent about taking notes and meeting the learning objectives of my courses when I was able to. I found it challenging to complete assignments on time because seeing the number of assignments due in a week would easily overwhelm me. I also struggle greatly with the idea of perfection. I can complete each assignment to a high degree, but feel the short time frame limits my ability to do well, which in turn makes me feel ashamed and increases my anxiety. This cycle of shame and anxiety becomes overwhelming, despite being capable of completing the assignments and having taken extensive class notes.
As mentioned above, I feel I have met the learning requirements of the four courses despite not having completed all of the assignments, labs, or quizzes due to the increased severity of my disability. I feel I would be able to demonstrate my high level of understanding if I were to have a discussion about the main ideas of each course and I would be able to complete the assignments to a high degree if I did not have the barriers my anxiety creates. I feel I did not complete the learning requirements to have completed ANAT 100 and am therefore requesting a late drop for the course. I would have dropped this course earlier, but I was overwhelmed and embarrassed to have my anxiety be so debilitating. I am highly intelligent, at age 9 my IQ was measured to be 140 by a qualified psychologist, and I can be an asset to Queen’s. Unfortunately, I do struggle with anxiety and need support and understanding for me to function and succeed.
Academic Plan:
I feel greatly ashamed that I had to take first year courses twice now due to my anxiety. These feelings of shame and embarrassment have increased my anxiety. I feel that being able to move onto level 200 courses and have a level 2 standing will allow me to move on in my academic path. I am excited and am eager to learn more and feel that withdrawing from Queen's for a year and ultimately taking first year courses again will heighten my anxiety, feelings of shame, and my determination to succeed. In addition, I feel I have learned the course content and am ready and able to understand the more advanced topic that the 200 level courses provide. I will plan to take only 4 courses per semester and will be prepared to drop a course at the beginning of the semester if I find myself becoming overwhelmed. Receiving a letter requiring me to withdraw was a wake up call - I have to get treatment and learn to cope with my anxiety. I am more determined ever to succeed academically and am very passionate about learning and completing my undergraduate degree at Queen's.
Since being hospitalized in late April, 2021 for a suicide attempt, I have had no adequate, ongoing support for my mental health. My family doctor has been unhelpful in treating and understanding my anxiety. For instance, my doctor has been away this summer and her replacement would not provide me with a letter to support this appeal because they did not know my medical history. I have found a therapist who I am meeting with and am in the process of getting a referral to a psychiatrist. Having a team specialized in anxiety and mental health will be beneficial. I feel this change will dramatically improve how I am able to cope with the severity of my anxiety and will help me to reduce the daily panic attacks I have. I will also look to adjust my medications so that I am more stable and am receiving the best treatment I can. I have been spending the summer working to build healthy routines and coping mechanisms. I will continue to have my accommodations overseen by Caroline Teske, who has been extremely helpful in advocating for me when my anxiety prevents me from reaching out to my course instructors for help. I believe all of these support networks compounded will ensure I start the fall 2023 semester in a good position. I am really trying to make this work and believe I have established a solid foundation that will help me through my time at Queen's and in my daily life. I am extremely capable and can do great things, but am held back by anxiety. I need the support of the university to allow me to succeed and complete my undergraduate degree.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
My name is Fiona Taylor and I am requesting Aegrotat (AG) standing for PHAR 100, PSYC 100, BIOL 103, and CHEM 112. I am also seeking a late drop to a course for ANAT 100. In addition, I have been informed as of May 23rd that I am required to withdraw from Queen’s for one year, which I am also requesting to appeal.
I struggle greatly with anxiety and have formal diagnoses including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Since the middle of the 2022 fall semester, I have faced the most sever anxiety of my life. I would constantly wake up to panic attacks and would spend all of my daily energy fighting of panic-inducing thoughts. Anxiety this severe is not just mental, it takes a physical toll on my body, my energy, and my ability to function. I was very diligent about taking notes and meeting the learning objectives of my courses when I was able to. I found it challenging to complete assignments on time because seeing the number of assignments due in a week would easily overwhelm me. I also struggle greatly with the idea of perfection. I can complete each assignment to a high degree, but feel the short time frame limits my ability to do well, which in turn makes me feel ashamed and increases my anxiety. This cycle of shame and anxiety becomes overwhelming, despite being capable of completing the assignments and having taken extensive class notes.
As mentioned above, I feel I have met the learning requirements of the four courses despite not having completed all of the assignments, labs, or quizzes due to the increased severity of my disability. I feel I would be able to demonstrate my high level of understanding if I were to have a discussion about the main ideas of each course and I would be able to complete the assignments to a high degree if I did not have the barriers my anxiety creates. I feel I did not complete the learning requirements to have completed ANAT 100 and am therefore requesting a late drop for the course. I would have dropped this course earlier, but I was overwhelmed and embarrassed to have my anxiety be so debilitating. I am highly intelligent, at age 9 my IQ was measured to be 140 by a qualified psychologist, and I can be an asset to Queen’s. Unfortunately, I do struggle with anxiety and need support and understanding for me to function and succeed.
Academic Plan:
I feel greatly ashamed that I had to take first year courses twice now due to my anxiety. These feelings of shame and embarrassment have increased my anxiety. I feel that being able to move onto level 200 courses and have a level 2 standing will allow me to move on in my academic path. I am excited and am eager to learn more and feel that withdrawing from Queen's for a year and ultimately taking first year courses again will heighten my anxiety, feelings of shame, and my determination to succeed. In addition, I feel I have learned the course content and am ready and able to understand the more advanced topic that the 200 level courses provide. I will plan to take only 4 courses per semester and will be prepared to drop a course at the beginning of the semester if I find myself becoming overwhelmed. Receiving a letter requiring me to withdraw was a wake up call - I have to get treatment and learn to cope with my anxiety. I am more determined ever to succeed academically and am very passionate about learning and completing my undergraduate degree at Queen's.
Since being hospitalized in late April, 2021 for a suicide attempt, I have had no adequate, ongoing support for my mental health. My family doctor has been unhelpful in treating and understanding my anxiety. For instance, my doctor has been away this summer and her replacement would not provide me with a letter to support this appeal because they did not know my medical history. I have found a therapist who I am meeting with and am in the process of getting a referral to a psychiatrist. Having a team specialized in anxiety and mental health will be beneficial. I feel this change will dramatically improve how I am able to cope with the severity of my anxiety and will help me to reduce the daily panic attacks I have. I will also look to adjust my medications so that I am more stable and am receiving the best treatment I can. I have been spending the summer working to build healthy routines and coping mechanisms. I will continue to have my accommodations overseen by Caroline Teske, who has been extremely helpful in advocating for me when my anxiety prevents me from reaching out to my course instructors for help. I believe all of these support networks compounded will ensure I start the fall 2023 semester in a good position. I am really trying to make this work and believe I have established a solid foundation that will help me through my time at Queen's and in my daily life. I am extremely capable and can do great things, but am held back by anxiety. I need the support of the university to allow me to succeed and complete my undergraduate degree.
Thank you for your consideration and support.